Editor’s note: Every team is preparing to attack its offseason to-do list, with free agency set to open on March 13 and the draft April 26-28. This is the 17th of 32 reports in 32 days looking at the offseason game plan for each team. With the Cardinals on Friday, we begin our swing through the NFC (in alphabetical order). Saturday: Atlanta Falcons. Sunday: Carolina Panthers.

TEMPE, Ariz. — During the team’s 1-6 start in 2011, Arizona Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt preached patience, firmly believing many of the team’s young players would improve as the season progressed. He was proved right as the club won seven of its final nine to finish 8-8.

The Cardinals think they are an ascending team, and their improvement on defense last season backs that up. Several young players were playing at a elite level by season’s end, most notably end Calais Campbell and inside linebacker Daryl Washington.

Both should contend for Pro Bowl status in the years to come. Cornerback Patrick Peterson, the fifth overall pick in the 2011 draft, was dynamic as a returner and showed steady improvement on defense.

The biggest challenge this offseason will be improving on offense, and that starts at quarterback. Coach Ken Whisenhunt said at the Scouting Combine that Kevin Kolb and John Skelton will have an open competition for the job. But Kolb likely will remain the starter, despite missing seven full games and most of an eighth with injuries. The biggest concern is that he didn’t play at a high enough level when he was healthy.

If the Cardinals can get just average quarterback play, they should contend for a playoff spot.

Key departures

The team has done a good job of locking up its key players, so there probably won't be significant losses this offseason. Right guard Deuce Lutui, who barely played in 2011, likely will move on. If he is in shape, Lutui could be a solid player. Outside linebacker Joey Porter wants to play again, but he hasn't been productive the past two seasons. Campbell is due to be a free agent, but he will get the franchise tag. The team wants to re-sign cornerback Richard Marshall.

Needs and targets

1. Offensive tackle. Left tackle Levi Brown’s contract escalates to a cap figure of about $17 million this year. The Cardinals want him back—he played well in the last half of the 2011 season—but at a much lower price. Right tackle Brandon Keith has the physical tools to be a good player, but he hasn’t developed as expected. There isn’t much help at the position in free agency.

Jared Gaither and Marcus McNeill of the Chargers are intriguing options but have issues, so the Cardinals are more likely to address this spot in the draft. They have the 13th overall selection, and Jonathan Martin of Stanford could be available there. Iowa’s Riley Reiff is also an intriguing prospect. The Cardinals haven’t drafted a lineman above the fifth round since taking Brown in the first round of the 2007 draft.

2. Wide receiver. The coaches continually downplay the need to add talent at this position, but it seems evident to everyone else. Andre Roberts, the No. 2 receiver, went a month without seeing the ball much. He produced when given the chance, but he seems more suited to the slot. The club would like to re-sign free agent Early Doucet, but it has to be at the right price.

Behind those three are a collection of unproven players. The Cardinals won’t spend big money on this position in free agency, not with Larry Fitzgerald on the roster. Drafting a receiver, however, in the first three rounds makes a lot of sense. It’s hard to imagine the Cardinals taking one with their first pick, but Notre Dame’s Michael Floyd might be hard to pass up. If they wait until the second or third round, someone like Wisconsin’s Nick Toon could be an attractive option.

3. Right guard. Rex Hadnot started every game at the spot last season and played OK, not great. Backup Lutui has struggled with his weight the last two years and likely will move on as a free agent. There isn’t much talent at the position on the roster. Coaches like D’Anthony Batiste, but he’s an unrestricted free agent and there is no guarantee he will return. Experts think this is a fairly deep draft for interior offensive linemen, so it makes sense to fill the position that way. It’s a cheaper alternative than free agency.

The club signed Daryn Colledge in free agency last year to play on the left side, so it’s questionable whether it will spend big money on another free agent guard. It would be a surprise if they have interest in the Saints’ Carl Nicks, who will be a big-ticket item. It might make more sense to take Stanford’s David DeCastro in the first round or Wisconsin’s Kevin Zeitler a little later.

4. Outside linebacker. The team has promising prospects in Sam Acho and O’Brien Schofield, both of whom should start in 2012. But there isn’t any depth behind them. Porter won’t return, and his career likely is over. Clark Haggans is a free agent, and the team might bring him back because he’s smart and a good mentor for the young guys. The Cardinals run the 3-4, so they will always need outside linebackers. The most likely scenario is that they re-sign Haggans and draft one.

5. Defensive end. Campbell and Darnell Dockett are solid starters in the 3-4, but as is the case with many positions, depth is a concern. Vonnie Holliday, 36, played well last season under a one-year deal and wants to return. He was productive in a limited role and was great as a mentor. Nick Eason also plays end. It makes sense, however, to get a developing youngster in the pipeline. Look for this position to be addressed in the mid-to-late rounds of the draft.

Somers’ take

This roster doesn’t need an overhaul, just some fine-tuning. With a key addition or two, the Cardinals should be a playoff contender. If they can get above-average play at quarterback, they could win the division.

Defensively, the team is in better shape than it has been in more than a decade. The unit has a nice mix of youth and experience, and everyone has bought into coordinator Ray Horton’s system.

The Cardinals haven’t spent huge amounts of money on any one free agent in recent years, so don’t look for that to happen. They will concentrate on signing middle-of-the-road veterans who are under 30.

The offensive line needs to be addressed, so adding a decent guard such as Philadelphia’s Evan Mathis would make some sense on the surface. But the Cardinals signed Colledge a year ago, so signing another veteran this year would tie up considerable money in the interior line.

The Cardinals would be smart to wait out the first wave of free agency and pursue the bargains. They will be there.

Even if the club upgrades the offensive line, it will need better quarterback play to accomplish anything in 2012. The club will have some interest in Peyton Manning, assuming he’s released, but signing him doesn’t seem likely.

Instead, the club will have to concentrate on getting more out of Kolb.

Kent Somers covers the Cardinals for the Arizona Republic and Sporting News.